Share this article

Farrell: "It should have been more"

England assistant coach Andy Farrell believed that his side should have won by more than their 21-16 scoreline in Cardiff.

Tries from Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph propelled England to victory over Wales, but Farrell believes that a couple of chances went begging.

“That was a proper Test match win. This is an unbelievable competition with the emotion that surrounds it and this game was built-up as a massive start,” said Farrell.

“The game is always about momentums and the 50-50s weren’t with us at half-time, but we were confident.

“Our fitness came through and the scoreline didn’t do us justice if I’m honest, we left two or three tries out there and I think that would have been just.”

Head coach Stuart Lancaster described the win as the best moment of his career, after the low of England’s heavy defeat in 2013 at the same venue.

“This was the best, because of two years ago and the lessons we learned. We didn’t just focus on two years ago but also last year, and how we finished in November,” said Lancaster.

“Even with the new combinations and changes from the Australia game we put out a good side and stuck to the plan.

“To go 10-0 down against a side as good as Wales is a big hole, especially up against a kicker like Leigh Halfpenny, it gives you pressure to chase the game – but we didn’t. We held our nerve, played the right field position and the bench made a difference”

Lancaster, like his Wales counterpart Warren Gatland, also singled out James Haskell for praise, while adding that selection for next week’s home game against Italy would be far from simple.

“I was having a debate with Graham Rowntree about substitutions and we couldn’t take any of the back row off. All three were excellent and in particular James Haskell, who had his best game during my time as England coach,” added Lancaster.

“Those guys who weren’t playing today and might come back in next week were texting good luck and that just shows the great unity we have.”